How Train Mangled NTA Principal Accountant In Abuja

An Abuja-bound train on Thursday crushed a woman to death along the Kubwa rail tracks.

Sympathisers had gathered at Chikakore community where the incident to lament about it.

The Chairman, Chikakore Community Zone-E, Ismail Olakposoyosi, said the victim was driving out of the community before she met untimely death.

He said the train rammed into the woman, who was inside her car, adding that it took men of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency and National Emergency Management Agency to lift the train before they could bring out the damaged car and her corpse.

Olakposoyosi said, “As she got to the train tracks, that was when she saw the train coming. Most times, the train will not even give adequate notice, it will not horn, sometimes when it horns, it will be when it is close to the community; that was how the incident happened. She was caught unawares at the rail tracks and the train dragged her vehicle with her inside some kilometres before it stopped.

“It was when NEMA, FERMA and some other government authorities came that they were able to lift the train and remove the vehicle and the corpse.”

He said the Federal Government should have built a bridge or a barricade with a signal light to warn motorists and commuters.

The woman, who was identified as Hajiya Selimota Idowu, worked with the Nigeria Television Authority.

The General Manager, NTA Channel Five Abuja, Paul Atti, expressed sadness over the incident.

He said, “Initially when we got the news, we just thought that it was a random person. Then we asked a reporter to go there; even the reporter didn’t know she was our staff member because they couldn’t provide her picture at that moment. It was later that we got a call from the family; that was how we knew.

“She was a principal accountant, level 12 . She was a very gentle person.”

The FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said investigation was ongoing.

She said, “Findings and safety tips already existing will soon be reiterated to ensure a non-repeat of such an incident.”

PUNCH